This is a scary game. The Pacers are a decent team this season (even though i think they are massively overrated at this point). They also have a big and physical frontcourt in Hibbert, West and Hansbrough. Basically, they are the kind of team that can cause a lot of problems for the Sixers. Another thing of note is that the Pacers have a solid defensively oriented bench in Hill, Hansbrough, D.Jones and Foster/ This is gonna be a major test for the team. The good thing is they are not a good offensive team and their ball movement is bad. This game has to be won with defense again. Looking forward to an ugly game. Hopefully, the sixers can come out on top.

I think the Pacers are a bit more talented and better balanced than the Sixers, but coaching could balance that. Overall these next three games should tell us a lot about those team. The Pacers and Knicks are the types of teams the Sixers have to try and separate themselves from.

I think the Pacers are a bit more talented and better balanced than the Sixers, but coaching could balance that. Overall these next three games should tell us a lot about those team. The Pacers and Knicks are the types of teams the Sixers have to try and separate themselves from.

I agree Hibbert is better than anything we have at the five, but I'm not really sold on him being a plus center. He started off like this last season, as well, then faded. His season numbers were pretty bad. Need to see him sustain production for an entire season.

Disagree about Indy having more talent. In the starting five, they have an advantage at the five and probably the two, Brand/West is a wash at this point, Iguodala is better than Granger, Lou is better than Collison. I'll take Lou, Thad, Turner over Hill, Hansbrough, Foster, and it's not really that close.

I think George has more room to grow and can be a more traditional wing, but Turner is better at the moment as a player. That can change though. George is one of those guys that i was low on but continues to surprise me in a positive way.

I don't see how Turner's better than George at the moment as a player. As scorers they're about the same, except George has a devastating three-point shot and Turner doesn't have a three-point shot at all. I'd say that staying connected to him is one of the more important things we have to do tonight.

This should be an interesting game. The Pacers (like the Sixers) are an up-and-coming team without a true superstar trying to contend with a bunch of above average, but no truly great, pieces. Similar to the Sixers, they are trying to use depth and young legs to take advantage of the shortened season and make a splash in the playoffs.
Opening line for the game is at -4.5 for the Sixers. A little high in my opinion as the Pacers could certainly win this outright and it should be a close game. However, Vegas has to adjust for the fact that Philly has been consistently covering spreads to start the season.
Hopefully, Granger stays in his shooting funk and West continues to struggle getting back into game shape. As mentioned in the post, I expect to see a lot of Turner in this one to contend with their size on the wings.
Let's pull this one out boys!

Funny. But be certain, readers, first quote is accurate, second is fiction.

By number of lopsided scores so far, the league is chock full of handicapped teams, night by night.

To the loose balls go the spoils. To that end, Sixers usually have advantages ... long athleticism and sheer will, as strongly transfused by Doug and staff. Tonight will be interesting in that regard: televised "King of the Hill."

Game is really won on the defensive glass tonight. That has been sort of their one weakness (they are league average for the year, 17th among 30) and if they do even a decent job there, I really think that they should win this game. Even though the Pacers have been pretty impressive so far, the Sixers have been more impressive. Should be a good one though.

I don't think the season would be over, but it would be really tough to man the minutes at the five w/out Hawes. And Vucevic has played 59 minutes to this point, about 50 of them have been with the Sixers up by 20+ points.

I have been a Hawes detractor, but I think he has been the biggest difference between this year and last. Having a serviceable center is a big asset that most teams do not have, and Hawes has been better than serviceable. Especially his rebound numbers.

this is unrelated but figured a good place to ask. i live out of market and the nba league pass free trial is over. im debating getting the nba league pass, but also want to consider the nba broadband pass as an alternative option. i subscribe to the mlb equivalent, and absolutely love it. does anyone here have the nba broadband pass? if so, are you happy with it, or should i spend more and get the tv channels instead.

also, i have a computer attached to my tv, so the setup is fine for broadband, if the quality is there.

You get the broadband package included w/ your league pass purchase through your cable company. That's the route I take (and they also added LP to the Roku player, which I hook up to my TV, which is awesome for watching replays. In fact, I may wind up going w/ the Roku player for watching actual games, since they're in HD). Not sure if any of that helps.

If it's cheaper for broadband only, maybe go with that. I like having all the games available on my TV, though.